The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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76 ■ THE WOLFPACKER when we've played teams we might beat 6-1 or 5-2, we've played two of them in a day. We've challenged the team, whether it's two matches in the same day or if it's playing a top-25 opponent." In addition to Powell and Mudge — who are both returning All-ACC players — Wei- gel has provided another high-level talent at the top of the lineup. He has played as high as No. 1 in the singles lineup and sported a 5-1 mark at that position through Feb. 24. Sophomore Simon Norenius, Horton and Weber had also recorded double-digit sin- gles wins already. Choboy said all of his players are self- driven and hard workers, but he loves to point to Weber, a multi-sport athlete coming out of high school, as a shining example for his youngsters. "I believe that is why you coach — you want to be able to take somebody and see how that player can develop," he said. "You talk about a person putting himself in posi- tion to succeed — this is a guy who came in and was a very good athlete, but never focused on just tennis. He was a very strong competitor, but we had to work to develop his game. "He played a little bit of doubles his freshman year, then got himself into doubles pretty consistently as a sophomore. He re- ally broke out in singles his junior year. He's another guy that just works and has put himself in position. He was voted captain by his teammates, along with Austin Powell, and that tells you what kind of person he is." The coach admitted when the squad met with the coaches at the end of last season to set goals — it's a collaborative effort — they came up with some lofty ones. They set expectations for the summer, fall and spring, and Choboy estimates the team has accomplished about 90 percent of the goals that could be completed so far. However, the biggest goals remain. "We're heading towards those goals and we're within striking distance of what we want to do this year — but we've still got a lot of work to do," he noted. "We had to win a lot of close matches against really good teams to get to this point, and we did a lot of it on the road. "We want to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament — we've got to be in the top 16 to do that — but we're within striking distance. We've got to work really hard and there will be a lot of competition for that, but it's one of our goals and has never been done at NC State. We'd like two players and two doubles teams to make the NCAA Tournament, which has also never been done. They're lofty goals, but we're working towards them." ■ Key Players To Watch Junior Austin Powell The NCSU co-captain led the team in singles wins last year and was named All-ACC. This year, as of Feb. 24, he boasted 20 singles wins, including a 4-1 ledger at No. 1, and was the highest ranked player on the squad at No. 45. Junior Robbie Mudge The 2013 All-ACC pick was busy this summer, playing in several Futures tournaments. The summer work has paid off — entering March he was ranked No. 91 nationally in singles and No. 42 in doubles with partner Ian Dempster (the duo started 11-0 this spring). Sophomore Thomas Weigel The native of Germany has played in each of the top three spots this spring and boasted an impressive mark of 4-1 at No. 1 singles. He upended Powell in a head-to-head matchup at ITA Carolina Regionals this fall, and has the talent to become one of the best in college tennis. ■ By The Numbers 4 Wins recorded over teams ranked in the nation's top 50 through the end of February, including a pair of squads that were ranked 26th when they fell to the Wolfpack. 17 Wins at the No. 5 and No. 6 singles spots against five losses entering March for a winning percentage of .773. ■ Key Dates To Watch Duke, March 9, Raleigh — The ACC is always one of the strongest leagues in the country for colle- giate tennis. The Blue Devils were ranked No. 16 in the Feb. 18 poll released by the ITA, so they present a golden opportunity for the Pack to pick up an impressive win. North Carolina, March 14, Raleigh — The Tar Heels are another top-25 program that gives the Pack an ample opportunity to bolster its résumé for the postseason. No. 21 Clemson (March 29) and No. 10 Notre Dame (April 6) will also provide impressive win opportunities in Raleigh later in the year. ACC Championships, April 25-28, Cary, N.C. — If the team is going to realize its lofty goals, the Pack will need a strong performance at the ACC Championships. Six of the top 25 squads in the latest ITA rankings call the ACC home, so it won't be easy, but the Pack has been preparing for this all season. Through Feb. 25, junior Robbie Mudge was ranked No. 91 nationally with 17 singles victories and had teamed up with Ian Dempster to form the country's No. 42 doubles squad. PHOTO BY LARRY BLANKENSHIP 74,76.Men's Tennis.indd 76 2/25/14 2:42 PM